RE: What type of apple trees
I put out MacIntosh, Empire, Cortland, Delicious, Ida Red and Spy. This gives me apples from mid September to late October. Two varieties are enough if they have blossom overlap. (Don't worry about genetics unless you plant Mutsu) If you plant semi dwarfs, you expect to wait 5 years for reasonable crops. Don't wait till next year for the trees. The time to get a bargain is now, from local nurseries. The most important thing (unless the deer feed on them) is to multch the area around the tree for 3 ft out from the trunk and put on a good trunk guard. Otherwise the grass will prevent good growth and the voles or mice will girdle the trees.
If you have deer problems either hang soap or make a deer enclosure out of chicken wire.
Dan O.